Cadillac is steadily working on its own F1 power unit; from 2029, the American racing team wants to exchange the current Ferrari engine for a powertrain of its own making. This will also give the team factory status. CEO Dan Towriss confirms that the Cadillac engineers are on schedule, although the team must also keep a close eye on the latest developments in the regulations. In April, meetings will be held regarding possible changes to the current engine formula.
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According to Towriss, Cadillac’s engine project is well on track. “The project is ahead of schedule,” he told Planet F1. “At the moment, the intention is for the Cadillac power unit to be operational in 2029. There are also new power unit regulations in development, so we are keeping a close eye on all of that. But regarding the current regulations, we are on schedule to have a power unit in 2029.”
In the meantime, the collaboration with Ferrari remains intact, although Towriss emphasizes that Cadillac is fully committed to developing its own technology. “As far as intellectual property is concerned, yes, everyone has to bring their own intellectual property, right? Ferrari has theirs, and with the GM Performance Power Units group, which is part of the F1 team, we are developing our own intellectual property.” With this, he underlines that the future Cadillac engine must come entirely from within.
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Million-dollar investment
The combination of a customer relationship and in-house development requires a clear separation of projects, something Cadillac strictly oversees according to Towriss. “We are developing our own engines and bringing our own product to the F1 grid. Those two things will be completely separate. We will be a Ferrari customer team while we build our engines, and that will explicitly be GM work.” Flexibility towards the future remains important: “As I said, we are closely following the discussion on the regulations. It is possible that the regulations will change before 2031, but by the same token, nothing might change.”
Towriss was presented with the possibility that parent company GM could invest hundreds of millions in an engine that only lasts two seasons. After all, the sport could switch to a new formula after 2031. Insiders suggest that Formula 1 is considering a return to large, naturally aspirated engines, as these can run on climate-neutral fuels. “Finances aside, it is simply important that we see a Cadillac power unit on the grid as soon as possible,” he responded. “From my point of view, that is really the top priority.”
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